New Year's resolutions are cool and all, but there's a reason we so often pick the same ones year after year. They tend to be lofty, vague and just unattainable enough that you don't feel too bad when another year goes by and you didn't achieve your goal.

Unlike the Buffalo Sabres, though, some of us are sick of not accomplishing our big targets. When this happens, the best thing to do is pick a smaller scale, short-term goal to cross off on the way to the bigger one.

Here's one overarching item on the to-do list of every NHL team to kick off 2025.

Anaheim Ducks: Build on This

The Ducks have been building an exciting future core for a few seasons, but it hasn't yielded much in terms of actual results yet.

With more pieces now in place, though, they are enjoying their best stretch of play in the Greg Cronin era. Things are starting to click more tangibly for the youngsters, the acquisition of Jacob Trouba brought more veteran competitiveness and the Frank Vatrano extension over the weekend kept the good vibes rolling.

The Ducks are six points out of a wild-card spot, and not many are expecting them to end up there by April. But they're in a position to try for the first time since circa 2018, and you want to see them build on this current stretch.

Boston Bruins: Settle Down

OK, so you've finally fixed the offense and cannot stop scoring goals in the Joe Sacco era? It's the perfect time for the defense to break.

There have been too many faulty breakdowns and penalties in front of a net that isn't being particularly well-protected by Jeremy Swayman at the moment.

It's not like the Bruins were going to be incredible this season, especially after that rough start leading to Jim Montgomery's firing. But it's frustrating to watch the goals finally come while the defense struggles.

It's time for a deep breath from the defensive core if the Bruins want to stay in a playoff position.

Buffalo Sabres: Get a Good Pick

Win streaks mean nothing at this point, as we've all been burned too many times to stomach believing in you again this season. It's over. Please do not go on another one.

Make yourself useful, though, and get a good draft pick this time.

Calgary Flames: Let the Kids Cook

This Flames' season has proved more interesting than anticipated as they are in the playoff hunt halfway through the season.

Encouraging performances from young players such as Dustin Wolf, Connor Zary and Matthew Coronato deserve a lot of credit, and you want to see them continue to blossom.

The Flames probably need another impact player at the deadline if they really want to attempt the playoffs and put the retool on hold.

For now, though, let the kids enjoy the results of their hard work.

Carolina Hurricanes: Focus on Consistency

The Carolina Hurricanes are firmly in a playoff spot and have been hovering constantly around the top of the East this season. That's solid for a team many expected to take a significant step back due to roster turnover.

Still, they've struggled as of late to string together some winning runs and put up back-to-back wins. Part of it is injury trouble and goaltending questions, and you'd like to see some answers to those questions.

Chicago Blackhawks: Leave Us Alone

We could all use a little break from the Chicago Blackhawks, including the Blackhawks themselves.

They're the worst team in the NHL and their futility in NHL outdoor games should give the NHL pause in putting them in a showcase event for the time being.

Colorado Avalanche: Lock Down GM Chris Macfarland

The Avalanche's terrible start to the season revolved around goaltending, so GM Chris MacFarland went out and changed that, making two trades in two weeks and ending up with two new goaltenders in Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood.

It was simple as that, now they combine for a save percentage well over .900 and the Avalanche look great in their playoff spot.

Some GMs around the league act like it's impossible to identify an issue and solve it at all, but MacFarland did it in two weeks.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Believe

The expectation headed into the season was that the Blue Jackets were going to be a lottery team with a lot of building to do.

Instead, Columbus has been solid at home for most of the season and has only had two truly subpar stretches.

Given the state of the East's bubble teams, anything can happen. The Blue Jackets are in a wild-card spot after Tuesday's shootout win over the Penguins via Kirill Marchenko.

Who are we to say they don't keep it?

Dallas Stars: Play Your Game

The Dallas Stars win as a team and lose as a team, and that defense-first mentality has served them well these past few years (well, in the regular season).

Would I like to see a more creative power play and a player or two who can consistently elevate the offense? Yes. Will one of the 100 young players with emerging offensive flair probably figure that out soon? Also yes.

For now, don't get too cute, especially with Tyler Seguin out. Suppress shots and neutralize the opponent.

Detroit Red Wings: Keep the Floor Elevated

OK, a few weeks into the Todd McLellan era and it appears the worst of the Red Wings' early-season play was just a horrible prank. Seriously, watching them fail to generate zone time and display zero fundamentals on the penalty kill felt like a joke given the caliber of some of these players.

McLellan came in with some new systems and some energizing vibes, and this looks like a functioning hockey team -- maybe even the playoff bubble one these Red Wings were always supposed to be.

It doesn't always have to be this good, with five straight wins in hand. But it can't ever get that bad again.

Edmonton Oilers: Pick One

This team is going to flail a bit and then go on an offensive tear and figure it out year after year. They've done it again with every key player heating up at the same time, and they're soaring in the rankings once again.

All I ask is to pick one other facet of the game to improve upon in the second half, whether that's goaltending or getting the power play back to elite territory.

It looks like it will be the power play, given Connor McDavid's snipe in Tuesday's 4-0 win over the Bruins.

Florida Panthers: Score a Few Goals

C'mon, you can do it.

The defending Cup champs have started to struggle recently putting the puck in the net, managing to score two or more goals in just two out of their last six games.

Still, you'd like to think the Panthers will be able to generate offense with the amount of firepower they have on the team.

Los Angeles Kings: Shut Us Up

I criticize the Kings more than is warranted perhaps, but they have a bad habit of dropping games we know they shouldn't.

That's been improving as of late, as Los Angeles is beating just about everybody.

Keep it up and force us to stay positive, despite what looks like yet another date with the Oilers in the first round of the Playoffs this year.

Minnesota Wild: Be Proud

The Minnesota Wild are having a great season, refusing to leave their playoff fate up to the usual chance.

They've proved to be one of the most resilient teams in the league right now, always following rough patches up with statement wins, and handling injuries to key players like Mats Zuccarello and currently Kirill Kaprizov in a way they hadn't been able to in the past.

Montreal Canadiens: Get Ready

It's looking like the Montreal Canadiens are formulating the identity they'll see into a successful future.

That identity is sharp, flashy and fun lead by Power-Play Patrik Laine, electric Cole Caulfield, equal parts hilarious and elite Kirby Dach, emerging defensive star Lane Huston and mature Nick Suzuki.

I kinda like it here.

Nashville Predators: Commit to the Bit

There's no turning back for the bizarre Nashville Predators at this point.

I expect general manager Barry Trotz to start offering teams parts of the Taylor Swift museum for their biggest stars any day now. It's been a huge disappointment and they're going to be a fascinating team to watch ahead of the Trade Deadline.

New Jersey Devils: Do Something Fun

Jacob Markstrom has worked out perfectly and only appears to be getting better. Jack Hughes has also entered the chat.

Things are great for the Devils right now after a brief period of sniffing it all out. Now, they've got a few enticing draft picks on hand to deal out at the trade deadline.

I'd love to see them do a little something to make this team even more fun.

New York Islanders: Make Coach Proud

My heart just wouldn't be able to take another Patrick Roy mid-practice apology to the fans.

Things are bleak on the Island and a trade deadline sell-off is probably going to happen (looking at you, Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri).

New York Rangers: Maybe Do a Bit Less This Year

No, really. We all insist.

What is there to say about the Rangers, except that they are a team in constant turmoil? What a fall from the spring when they were two wins from the Stanley Cup Final.

The reality is that it's going to be more hectic ahead of the deadline.

Ottawa Senators: Show Some Resiliency

Just as the Senators were getting their groove back after a down November, starting goalie Linus Ullmark is now injured.

What is this team made of? Showing some direction and resiliency without the netminder would be a statement. Tuesday's overtime loss wasn't that, though.

Philadelphia Flyers: Get a Good Goalie

Why can't they just try to be good?

Why can't they just get one proven goalie and see what happens?

What's the worst that could happen?

Pittsburgh Penguins: Decide Your Direction

There's always going to be a chance for success while Sidney Crosby is still an active player on your team.

But it's difficult to watch the Penguins narrowly miss the playoffs year after year, bad start after bad start.

Do you want to get a better goaltending situation and try to help Crosby and Co. out, or are you going to try to rebuild despite his competitiveness?

San Jose Sharks: Turn the Page

The dark days are starting to enter the rearview for the San Jose Sharks, as Macklin Celebrini keeps picking up steam in the Calder Trophy race.

He, Will Smith, and the rest of the kids are creating something special, and it's only up from here for San Jose.

Seattle Kraken: Bounce Back

The best time to plant a tree was yesterday. The second best time is today.

This is how I feel about underperformances from Matty Beniers and Chandler Stephenson this season.

Just get it going now and finish off strong. Generate some hype for next year and maybe it will all be OK in the end.

St. Louis Blues: Establish an Identity

The Blues had a worse start to the season than they probably deserved, given injury and bad luck. Jim Montgomery took over behind the bench and now their record is above .500, with key players returning for some offensive juice.

They're just three points out of a playoff spot and are turning into a more consistent team. Take it up a notch and figure out the team you want to be.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Get It Together

We were all waiting to see what the Lightning would do after surviving the hardest schedule of the first half, and despite some generous offensive efforts, it's not looking great so far.

They need to bulldoze through some of the weaker teams in the league—and fast—if they want to start stringing together some wins and protecting their playoff spot.

That late-game victory over the Hurricanes on Tuesday could be a positive vibe shifter.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Don't Overthink It

The Leafs have played some of their most complete hockey in years this season.

Defense has tightened up under Craig Berube and the additions of Chris Tanev, goaltender Anthony Stolarz, and Co.

High-power scoring is down a bit and Auston Matthews hasn't been 100 percent healthy. But so what? Where has all the scoring and half of the defense got the Leafs before?

Besides, newer faces such as Matthew Knies are entering the consistent scoring chat.

Don't start inventing problems.

Utah Hockey Club: Think Relevancy

Utah Hockey Club's inaugural season has been a mixed bag of ups and downs, but the ups—solid offensive stretches, good ownership visibility and decisions, great fan turnout—have been very encouraging for the outlook of the franchise.

The team has had some tough injury breaks, inconsistent goaltending and now a scoring drought, so playoff hopes look bleak at this point.

However, management made some delightfully aggressive moves in the first offseason, and now it's time to start plotting and tweaking for next year's playoff run.

Vancouver Canucks: Protect a Lead

It's tough to watch this Canucks team build leads only to blow them in various circumstances. Since the holiday break, they've thrown away final-period leads of 4-1, 3-1 and 3-2.

Monday's loss to the Canadiens was particularly baffling. The team had so many solid moments despite Quinn Hughes' injury. Goalie Kevin Lankinen made some great saves and it was a four-point night for J.T. Miller.

But you had little faith in them completing the job...and they didn't.

Is it a confidence thing? Is the alleged drama between Miller and Elias Pettersson coming to a head as trade rumors circulate?

Whatever it is, they'd better figure it out and clean it up before their playoff spot slips away.

Vegas Golden Knights: Embrace the Hate

The Golden Knights are at the top of the league in plenty of metrics, Jack Eichel is having the best season of his career, the goaltending is goaltending and things are clicking up and down the lineup.

The haters are furious, and hopefully the Vegas players are having some fun with that.

Washington Capitals: Stay Healthy

Most weren't expecting the Washington Capitals to lead the Eastern Conference halfway through the season (or at all), but here we are.

We were looking forward to Alex Ovechkin's record chase, but now we're balancing that chase with the real possibility of a long playoff run.

Could Ovechkin stay healthy for the rest of the season and do it all?

Winnipeg Jets: Don't Neglect Self-Care

The Winnipeg Jets struggled through their recent five games in eight days stretch, but Tuesday's tilt with the Predators is their only game for five days.

Now's the time for the team with the hottest start in the league to slow down, regroup and recover before the true dog days of the season begin.